Download the complete Te Arai Links visitor guide — ideal for sharing with your group before you travel.
At a glance
Quick Facts
| Location | 11 Te Ara Whenua, Tomarata — 90 min north of Auckland |
| Courses | South Course (Coore & Crenshaw, 2022) + North Course (Tom Doak, 2023) |
| Golf Digest 2024 | South #40 · North #36 — World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses |
| Golf Magazine 25/26 | South #79 · North #98 — Top 100 Courses in the World |
| Course type | Walking-only links. Fescue greens and fairways. No golf carts. |
| Access | Open to visitors. Advance booking essential — no walk-ins. |
| Caddies | Available and strongly recommended for first-time visitors. |
| Contact | enquiries@experiencegolf.co.nz | +64 22 276 8633 |
The destination
Why Te Arai Links is the World’s Hottest Golf Destination
There are only two places on earth where three top-100 golf courses sit within 20 minutes of each other. One is Bandon Dunes in Oregon. The other is a pristine stretch of New Zealand’s north-east coastline, where Te Arai Links and the private Tara Iti share a ridge of dunes above the Pacific.
Both Te Arai courses achieved top-100 status within two years of opening — virtually without precedent in modern golf. Rory McIlroy visited in late 2024 and described it as a trip of a lifetime. The South Course is confirmed as host venue for the 2026 Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship.
Experience Golf — New Zealand’s preferred IAGTO-accredited golf tour operator. We handle tee-time access, luxury accommodation, private transfers, and every detail — so you focus entirely on the game.
The courses
Two Courses. Two World-Class Designers.
South Course — Coore & Crenshaw (2022)
Par 72 · 6,843 yards · Golf Digest 2024: #40 · Golf Magazine: #79. 16 holes with Pacific Ocean views, 8 directly alongside the sea.
Coore and Crenshaw worked with natural landforms of folding sand ridges and coastal valleys to create a course that feels as though it has existed for a century. The par-3 5th tee shot, aimed directly at the Hen and Chicken Islands ten miles offshore, is one of the most visually dramatic shots in world golf.
North Course — Tom Doak (2023)
Par 71 · 6,931 yards · Golf Digest 2024: #36 · Golf Magazine: #98. Oceanside and inland holes through sand barrens and pine forest.
Tom Doak designed the North Course to play entirely differently from its sibling. His routing begins and ends at the ocean but finds its character inland. Doak has noted the inland holes remind him of Pine Valley — ranked #1 in the world.
Important — The North and South courses alternate daily. As a visitor you can only play one course per day. Plan two days minimum — Experience Golf can arrange the full schedule.
Planning your visit
Getting There & When to Go
Getting There
Te Arai Links is approximately 90 minutes north of Auckland on the North Island’s east coast. Address: 11 Te Ara Whenua, Miharo Kotiti, Tomarata 0974. Experience Golf arranges luxury chauffeur transfers and private helicopter options.
When to Go
High season runs November through April (New Zealand summer). Best weather: November to March. Best value: May, September, October. Walking-only — allow 4.5–5 hours per round. Spikeless footwear mandatory.
On-Site Facilities
Ric’s Restaurant, North Clubhouse and Ocean Restaurant (fully operational 2024/25), spa and fitness centre (completed late 2025), The Playground — two-acre practice putting complex and the largest putting green in the world, plus luxury onsite lodges and villas.
Booking
Te Arai operates on advance-booking only — no walk-ins. Contact Experience Golf to arrange tee times, accommodation, and transfers as part of a tailored itinerary.
Pro tip — Experience Golf can build a seamless itinerary combining Te Arai with Kauri Cliffs, Cape Kidnappers, and other world-class North Island courses.
Common questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Te Arai Links open to the public?
Yes. Unlike the private Tara Iti next door, Te Arai Links is open to visiting golfers on a stay-and-play or green-fee basis. Advance booking is essential.
Can I play both courses on the same day?
No. The North and South courses alternate daily. As a visitor you can only play one course per day. A minimum two-night stay is recommended to play both.
What handicap do I need to play Te Arai?
There is no official handicap requirement. Caddies are strongly recommended for first-time visitors.
How do I get to Te Arai from Auckland?
Approximately 90 minutes north by car via SH1. Experience Golf offers luxury chauffeur transfers and private helicopter options.
When is the best time to visit?
High season (November to April) offers the best weather. Shoulder months (October and May) offer great conditions with fewer visitors.
Book your experience
Plan Your Te Arai Visit with Experience Golf
Experience Golf has spent over four decades building the relationships, local knowledge, and logistics network that turns a world-class golf itinerary into a seamless reality. We handle tee-time access, luxury lodge accommodation, private transfers and helicopter options, broader New Zealand itinerary planning, and 24/7 on-ground support.
experiencegolf.co.nz
+64 22 276 8633
enquiries@experiencegolf.co.nz
Preferred Travel Partner of Golf New Zealand | IAGTO Member | IATA Accredited
See what our clients have to say
Hear from our clients unforgettable experiences with Experience Golf. From stunning courses to impeccable service, read their testimonials below:
By taking care of all the details including the last-minute changes, Jono arranged it all so we can Experience golf heaven on earth.
We just returned from New Zealand on a trip organized by Experience Golf. It was by and far the most enjoyable trip we ever took with every detail professionally cared for in a manner that far exceeded our expectations. We are already planning our next trip and can assure you that we will look for Experience Golf to once again be our guide knowing that it will be a first class trip with no detail overlooked.
Many thanks for the trip for my brothers and I to Pebble Beach. We had a fantastic time. The Spanish Inn is the right place to stay. Great atmosphere.
Jono, we so appreciate you taking time to meet us and transport us and ALL of our luggage to and from Tara Iti. We certainly feel like we got a taste of Melbourne and New Zealand. We were so impressed with the people and the land and the conservation efforts that are taken to keep New Zealand naturally beautiful. Ending the vacation with the most incredible Helicopter tour yesterday was the icing on the cake!
Golf was truly spectacular, all 10 rounds occasionally surrounded by spectator sheep, trying to keep an eye on the ball from the competing peaks and valleys, noticing impact sound through crisp air bouncing off the sky. A memorable picnic at a snow capped mountain top during the Heli tour of the Milford sound, sailing catamaran cruise at the Bay of Islands with lovely Rainy and Neal, and surprisingly wonderful ATV tour of Kauri Cliffs were weaved in perfectly between the rounds.
By taking care of all the details including the last-minute changes, Jono arranged it all so we can Experience golf heaven on earth.
We just returned from New Zealand on a trip organized by Experience Golf. It was by and far the most enjoyable trip we ever took with every detail professionally cared for in a manner that far exceeded our expectations. We are already planning our next trip and can assure you that we will look for Experience Golf to once again be our guide knowing that it will be a first class trip with no detail overlooked.
Many thanks for the trip for my brothers and I to Pebble Beach. We had a fantastic time. The Spanish Inn is the right place to stay. Great atmosphere. The links at Spanish Bay was terrific, too good a course for me, but fantastic. Poopy Hills was really nice and a bit easier more like courses I was used to. Pebble Beach, what a course. Like you suggested the tee off was touch and go to finish, but we did finish all 18, although it was pretty dark putting on the 18th. The sea mist coming in was just about more of an issue at times, but really added to it all.
Many thanks for the trip for my brothers and I to Pebble Beach. We had a fantastic time. The Spanish Inn is the right place to stay. Great atmosphere.
Jono, we so appreciate you taking time to meet us and transport us and ALL of our luggage to and from Tara Iti. We certainly feel like we got a taste of Melbourne and New Zealand. We were so impressed with the people and the land and the conservation efforts that are taken to keep New Zealand naturally beautiful. Ending the vacation with the most incredible Helicopter tour yesterday was the icing on the cake!
Golf was truly spectacular, all 10 rounds occasionally surrounded by spectator sheep, trying to keep an eye on the ball from the competing peaks and valleys, noticing impact sound through crisp air bouncing off the sky. A memorable picnic at a snow capped mountain top during the Heli tour of the Milford sound, sailing catamaran cruise at the Bay of Islands with lovely Rainy and Neal, and surprisingly wonderful ATV tour of Kauri Cliffs were weaved in perfectly between the rounds.
By taking care of all the details including the last-minute changes, Jono arranged it all so we can Experience golf heaven on earth.
We just returned from New Zealand on a trip organized by Experience Golf. It was by and far the most enjoyable trip we ever took with every detail professionally cared for in a manner that far exceeded our expectations. We are already planning our next trip and can assure you that we will look for Experience Golf to once again be our guide knowing that it will be a first class trip with no detail overlooked.
Many thanks for the trip for my brothers and I to Pebble Beach. We had a fantastic time. The Spanish Inn is the right place to stay. Great atmosphere. The links at Spanish Bay was terrific, too good a course for me, but fantastic. Poopy Hills was really nice and a bit easier more like courses I was used to. Pebble Beach, what a course. Like you suggested the tee off was touch and go to finish, but we did finish all 18, although it was pretty dark putting on the 18th. The sea mist coming in was just about more of an issue at times, but really added to it all.
Many thanks for the trip for my brothers and I to Pebble Beach. We had a fantastic time. The Spanish Inn is the right place to stay. Great atmosphere.
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